The Second Life of the Malicious Colonel's Daughter novel · Chapter 17 of 24
Chapter 17: The Offer
Colonel Redfern walked into the Junction Diner at eight on the first Tuesday of November, the week the handwriting examiner was due.
I saw him through the shop window, crossing Depot Street in his dress uniform with both hands empty.
He stopped at the curb and waved to me, friendly as a neighbor.
Isaiah came up behind me with his coffee.
"Let him wait," he said.
"He wants us to."
"Then he can want."
Ten minutes later, we crossed the street together.
The diner was full.
The two men who had watched me scrub the door that first morning were there again, with a plate of eggs each.
Redfern sat in the big corner booth with his cap beside his plate.
"Sit," he said, with the wide smile. "Breakfast's on the garrison."
"We've eaten," I said.
"Then coffee."
We sat.
A waitress who had never once looked at me in three years set down two cups without being asked.
"I'll be quick," Redfern said. "I like you both, and I'd hate to see two good people ruin themselves."
"You're early, Colonel," Isaiah said. "Your aide hasn't finished his statement."
"My aide is unwell. He's been under strain." He turned a spoon over on the cloth. "I'm told he gets confused about who gave him orders."
I felt the whole diner leaning toward us.
"Here is what I can do," he said. "Mr. Doran, the board drops all charges Monday. Your warrant is restored. I'll put your name forward for a Criminal Investigation Division post at Quantico. A grade up."
The rest of this chapter is part of the paid portion of the series. Chapters 1–12 of The Second Life of the Malicious Colonel's Daughter are free to read — start from the beginning, then unlock the rest with coins in the app.
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